The posters of the United War Work Campaign emphasized the good the respective organizations did for American service men, both individually and as a whole. These posters steered clear of depictions of war and combat and focused on the enjoyment and aid these organizations war work brought. The exception to this was one Jewish Welfare Board poster, which may have tried to discourage anti-Semitic ideas of Jewish men by showing Jewish soldiers in combat. Posters frequently depicted women as a group, especially those produced by the Salvation Army and YWCA. They were typically portrayed as motherly and/or angelic figures. (See Women.) Religious imagery was either excluded from these posters, or was present but subtle or de-emphasized.
For an idea of how these posters would have been displayed, click below to view these suggested window displays from a United War Work Campaign publicity portfolio. (Courtesy of the American Catholic History Research Center, Catholic University of America.)
“United Behind the Service Star” Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
“United We Serve.” National Archives and Records Administration via Wikimedia Commons.
“This Church is behind The United War Work Campaign.” National Archives and Records Administration via Wikimedia Commons.
An American Library Association poster. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
A Salvation Army poster for the Campaign. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
Figure 5. The Knights were much more overtly religious in their own campaign than in the United War Work Campaign. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
During the campaign, the Knights downplayed their religious nature, instead emphasizing their aid to all Americans. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
“His Home Over There.” Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
“Back Our Girls Over There.” Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
A YWCA poster. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
A Jewish Welfare Board poster for the UWWC. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
“Keep ’em smiling!” Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
